CPU Cooler options

I recently got the Slade Level 2 and picked the Corsair H100 for my cooling solution but failed to realize it would require me to remove the top panel of my Obsidian 500D case at all times. This case was designed to be quiet and removing the top panel for two fans to run at all times wasn't a good solution for me (plus my PC is right beside me and having the air blow up on me at all times isn't ideal).

So I'm looking at other options. I know DS has the Corsair H60 and Hyper212 but I'm also looking outside DS at the Corsair H80. I'm concerned about temps but mostly concerned about the noise generated by any of these solutions.

Anyone have any advice? I'm kind of new to the CPU cooler selections and getting a little over whelmed reading too many reviews.

Thanks

Thanks tju76. The issue is this is my CPU cooler fans so I can't really reduce them or turn them off. The H100 that shipped with my system was not ideal because the fans in the top required the top to be open and the funs to always run. My idea was to have the top closed and if necessary put in optional fans to turn on and off when the temps needed to be controlled better (using a fan controller as you mentioned). This leaves me to replace the Corsair H100 with something that doesn't have fans in the roof of my system.

I know DS has the Corsair H60 and the Hyper 212 but I'm also considering the Corsair H80 since I'll be buying this on my own and replacing the H100.

Anyone have any experience or ideas about a good, quiet CPU cooler option? I'm also tight on space so have to avoid really LARGE units.

Hi JohnD212,

If the bad look won't bother you, why not cut the side of a cardboard box and tape it to the top in a curved fashion to funnel the air away from you?

Hi JohnD212,

You might want to take a look at the very thorough review of 550D case on HardForum for cooling solutions. One the coolers they use is the Silver Arrow which is every bit as large as the D14, so I'm not sure why DS says the D14 won't fit (problem with clearance given the memory sticks DS used?).

I use an H80, which I believe is functionally equivalent to the DS Vortex, and like it. It's quiet with stock fans, as long as it's on low speed, but too noisy for my tastes at the intermediate speed and impossible to live with at high speed. While cooling performance will vary depending on components, in my rig (2600K, Silverstone FT02), my temps range from 30C to 60-65C (room temp 22 C), going from idle at stock speeds to full load overclocked at 4.4GHz using low fan speed. If I needed more cooling I'd change to quieter fans. Corsair has some new ones reviewed here which seem to work well, and other folks have used Noiseblockers to good effect (don't remember which one, but could look it up if you need the info).

        Marty

Thanks Marty...i will look into the H80. I don't mind it but I just heard it can be noisy and that is what worries me. I don't want noise. 

I have the 800D, which has 3 fans on top, they all blow into the case though, not out. Its also pretty darn quiet for a rig with like 11 fans. I cant imagine your case being all that loud, youre going to have fans regardless of what you do, why dont you just move the case?